Leon Berenos, secretary of the foundation organizing the Carubbean Festival, said they are welcoming an average of 5000 guests each week. Tourist attendance has already grown from one bus to three to four large buses every week, plus they also see more rental cars and tourists arriving by Arubus. Carubbian Festival complements Aruba’s tourism services and products, showcasing the island’s 12-month cultural agenda in a show of 45 minutes.

The festival package includes transportation, food, drinks, live music and the show. Buses arrive at 6 p.m. and leave at 10. The Carubbian Festival is promoted in the U.S.A. and Europe and has to be of good quality, regardless that organizers are working with a fairly limited budget, Berenos said. A few weeks ago, a British tour operator had a group inspect the complete product and the festival passed the test and was so well-liked that the company is including it on their webpage, he reported. The last show for 2011 is scheduled for December 29. Plans are already being made for 2012 and 2013 for Aruba Carnaval’s 60th anniversary.